South Africa Fire

Emergency services in South Africa say 18 elderly people died when a fire swept through their old age and frail care center outside of Johannesburg.

Paramedics say another 84 people were rescued from the Pieter Wessels old age home about 40 miles (60 kilometers) southeast of Johannesburg. One of the victims died from a heart attack after being evacuated to a nearby church. The fire broke out late Sunday.

The Netcare rescue agency said Monday that 17 bodies were recovered from razed buildings at the home. Three of the survivors were hospitalized for burn treatment. Most of the others suffered from smoke inhalation.

Investigators combed through the ruined buildings Monday to establish the cause of the fire.